How to Select Choice Reading + Our 20 Favorite Classroom Books [S4 E96]
Listen to the full episode below:
Some of the most common questions we get from you are:
What books do you suggest?
What books do your students like?
Which books do you recommend to increase engagement?
Are you sensing a theme here? Basically, it’s multiple versions of, what are your favorite books to use with your students?
Well, you asked and we listened! So today, we have some recommendations of books that have been the most popular in our classrooms. Let’s just say it was a fun list to make!
Most importantly, we want to talk to you about the three things that we keep in mind when curating a list of book choices for a choice reading unit. There really is something to be said about crafting a list of choices that are all linked thematically, and that address a central question.
To review, when we are referring to a literature circle, or choice reading, we're talking about a list of books that we have selected for the students to choose from.
Leading up to students choosing a book, we’ve created an essential question, and then we're going to go do a unit covering that essential question. However, instead of doing a whole class novel, we're doing a bunch of different books, that the students had some varying levels of choice in selecting. Sounds fun, right? It is!
Be sure to check out our book list below! After listening, if you have questions about what steps you need to take next, send us a DM on Instagram @bravenewteaching.
Topics Covered:
Our definitions of lit circles and choice reading, plus how it’s difference from independent reading
3 key things that we keep in mind when selecting books for choice reading units
Our top book recommendations and reasoning behind our choices
Why we close read challenging texts together as a class
Our 20 Favorite Classroom Books:
Resources
Register for our FREE masterclass, Down With the Reading Quiz
Reading Activities for Book Clubs, Lit Circles, & Independent Reading
Follow Marie on Instagram: @thecaffeinatedclass
Follow Amanda on Instagram: @mudandinkteaching
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Related Episodes:
More about Brave New Teaching:
Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!
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